Apparatus for straightening strip material



Wm. w, 1949" H. H. TALBOT APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING STRIP MATERIAL Filed July 2a, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR. Al wmfv 724 Mm, 2U, W49 H. H. TALBOT APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING STRIP MATERIAL Filed July 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORY. ow44?0 AK 7724607 5mm H. H. TALBOT APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING STRIP MATERIAL Filed July 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. I /QWAED AZ 94 as? Patented cc. 20, 1949 APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING STRIP MATERIAL Howard H. Talbot, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to United Engineering & Foundry Company, LPittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application July 26, 1948, Serial No. 40,703

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for proc-- essing strip material and in particular to apparatus adapted to be employed for leveling or straightening metal strip, sheet or the like passed therethrough for processing by cold working.

Strip processing apparatus for cold working metal sheet or strip, as now applied to the rolling mill industry, usually includes one or more backing roll units disposed across the leveling or straightening rolls, each unit being individually adjustable to obtain the desired contour of rolls across the sheet or strip upon which the straightening operation is to be performed. It is found that between or across the span of such backing 'roll units, however, deflection of the straightening rolls is considerable so as to make it impossible to obtain a uniform working of the metal across the Width thereof.

In order to overcome the objectionable features of strip processing apparatus now in use and to provide for a more uniformly leveled product, the apparatus herein disclosed embodies a plurality of backing or supporting rolls mounted upon an adjustable platen of suflicient flexibility to permit control of the roll contour thereof but having a rigidity which is adequate to ofier desirable resistance to deflection of the rolls intermediate the adjustable supports. Once -the .adjustrnent of the platen has been accomplished and the deflection of the rolls established, any further adjustment thereof necessarily affects the contour of the straightening roll throughout its length by reason of the disturbance of the previously established deflections. It is possible, however, by coordinated adjustments of the .supporting or backing-up rolls, across the width thereof, to obtain practically any desired contour, thus permitting allocation of heavy or light work or deep or shallow crimp across the sheet according to the requirements determined by the condition of the sheet or strip in the unprocessed state. Inasmuch as floating type bearings for supporting the straightening rolls of the apparatus are provided herein, no substantial loads will be imposed upon the bearing ends of the rolls during the processing operation. Then, too, by virtue of the adjustable upper roll supporting frame disclosed herein, it is possible to vary the angle at which the strip or sheet enters the apparatus and thus to provide for proper working of the metal as well as positive engagement thereof by the straightening rolls. Since a positive gripping of the strip is assured, the possibility of roll slippage usually resulting in the formation of entry marks on the strip is eliminated.

With the foregoing in mind, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a strip or sheet processing apparatus with which any desired contour transversely thereof can be obtained depending upon the condition of the unprocessed material and the results to be eiiected thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide strip or sheet processing apparatus the straightening rolls of which are so supported by floating bearings at the ends thereof as to avoid the imposition upon the roll ends of any substantial loads incident to the strip processing operation regardless as to whether the operation involves a deep or a shallow crimp across the sheet.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a strip or sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of straightening rolls with the supporting or backing-up rolls thereof so arranged as to lend themselves to ready adjustment for controllably deforming the straightening rolls in order that the desired path upon which the unprocessed strip is to be projected may be quickly defined.

A further object of this invention is to provide a strip or sheet processing apparatus having a platen extending across the straightening rolls thereof and upon which the straightening roll backing :members are supported, possessing sufficient flexibility to permit roll contour control but embodying a rigidity which offers desirable resistance to roll deflection intermediate the adjustable supports.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a strip or sheet straightening apparatus having a plurality of supporting members extending longitudinally of the apparatus adapted simultaneously to be adjusted for imparting an equal controlled deflection to corresponding portions of each of the straightening rolls.

These objects, as well as the various other novel features and advantages of this invention,

will become apparent from a reading of the following description and accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a plan view in section of the preferred embodiment of my invention taken on line II of Figure 2;

.Figure 2 is an end elevation view partly in section taken on line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure, 3 is a side elevation view taken on line III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of apparatus embodying my invention in modified form taken on line IV-IV of Figure 5;

Figure is a sectional end view taken on line VV of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is a side elevation sectional view taken on line VI--VI of Figure 4.

With reference to the drawings, Figures 1 to 3, in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the strip metal straightening apparatus includes a lower frame II, upon which is positioned an upper frame I2 adapted to be adjusted vertically from either of the two ends thereof by means of threaded spindles I3, engaging with spherical nuts I3a of the lower frame, upon which are mounted worm wheels 14 meshing with worms I5 keyed to shafts I6 which, extending transversely across the upper frame, are mounted in bearings I1 and rotated by hand wheels I8 secured thereto. Between the two frames and encircling each of the spindles I3 there are compression springs which constantly urge apart the two frames.

Within the lower frame II there is a plurality of backing rolls is mounted in staggered relation ship on separate short shafts 2i supported within bearings provided in yokes 22 secured within and extending longitudinally of the frame. In

contact with and mounted in suitable floating bearing-blocks 23 is a plurality of straightening rolls 24 adapted to engage the under side of a metal strip S as it passes through the straightening apparatus. The floating bearing-blocks 23 are slidably positioned within recesses 25 of the frame I I and maintained therein by means of keeper plates 25 secured to the frame. Within the upper frame I2 there is positioned a plurality of straightening rolls 21, the shaft ends of which are rotatably secured within adequate bearings provided in floating bearing-blocks 20 urged vertically upward by means of springs 2.9 surrounding bolts 3! attached to the ends of the plates 28. Since the sets of straightening rolls 20 and 2! are supported by the floating bearing-blocks 23 and 20 respectively, there are no direct bearing loads except for the negligible end thrust which may be imposed thereon by the rolls.

Above the straightening rolls 2'! there are a number of supporting or backing-up rolls 32, arranged in staggered relationship and each rotatably secured to separate short shafts 33 mounted in'inverted yokes 34 attached to a flexible floating platen 35. On the upper surface of the platen 35 is attached a plurality of wear strips 36 upon which are positioned pressure blocks 31 which are slidable thereon transversely of the platen. Each of the pressure blocks 3i is provided with a recess 38 within which is received one of the eccentrics 39 formed as an integral part of each of a plurality of adjustable eccentric shafts 4! extending in a longitudinal direction within the upper frame I2. At spaced intervals adjacent to each of the eccentrics and formed in downwardly extending reinforcing webs 32 of the upper frame I2 are bearings 43 for supporting the eccentric shafts 4I. Each one of the shafts 4| is independently rotatable for turning the eccentrics thereof as a unit, so that an equal pressure will be applied to the pressure blocks associated therewith lengthwise of the frame thereby controllably to deform the platen 35, and thus to cause corresponding backing-rolls to bear against and deflect equally all of the straightening rolls at the same corresponding points.

Each of the eccentric shafts M is independently rotatable, so that the pressures applied to the different sets of pressure blocks may be varied thus to provide for any desired straightening roll contour. To one end of the first two shafts M on one side of the frame I2 there are keyed worm wheels 44 and 45 which are driven by two worms 45 and 41 respectively meshing therewith. The worm 46 is mounted on a hollow shaft 48 to which is attached a hand wheel 49 and the worm ii is mounted on a spindle 5I, passing through the hollow shaft 48, to the outer end of which is secured a hand wheel 52. Suitable bearings 53 and 54 are provided at the side of the upper frame I2 for supporting the shaft and spindle. To the corresponding ends of the next two shafts 4I are keyed worm wheels 55 and 56 respectively. The driving elements are mounted below the wheels 55 and 50 in bearings 51 and 58 and consist of a hollow shaft 59 having attached thereto a hand wheel BI and a worm 02 in mesh with the wheel 55, and a spindle 63, passing through the hollow shaft 59, to which is secured a hand wheel 04 and a worm 65 in mesh with the wheel 50. On the opposite side of the frame I2 and keyed to the next two eccentric shafts 4I there are two worm wheels 60 and 61 in mesh with and driven respectively by two worms E8 and 59. The two worms 68 and 69 are mounted the one upon a hollow shaft 'II and the other upon a spindle 12 which passes therethrough. The hollow shaft II and the spindle I2 are supported by suitable bearings I3 and I4 provided at the side of the frame I2 and are manually rotated by hand wheels I5 and I6 respectively'. The last eccentric shaft M is provided with a worm wheel H in mesh with and driven by a worm l8 keyed to a shaft I9. The shaft 19 is mounted in bearings BI and 82 on the side of the frame and has affixed to the end thereof a hand wheel 83.

On the drive side of the leveling apparatus, all of the straightening rolls are provided with shaft extensions to which is connected, by means of universal couplings or the like, separate driven shafts of a power operated driving gear unit.

One of the modified forms of the invention herein disclosed is illustrated in the drawings Figs. 4 to 6. In the modified form, the leveling apparatus includes a lower frame IOI, an upper adjustable frame I02, a plurality of sheet or strip metal lower and upper straightening rolls I03 and I04 respectively and a plurality of lower and upper backing-up rolls I05 and I06 in contact therewith.

For tilting the upper frame I02 to any desired angle with respect to the lower frame IOI, there are rotatably secured within the upper frame threaded spindles I00, engaging with spherical nuts IBM in the openings III at the four corners of the lower frame. The spindles I09 have keyed thereon worm wheels II2 which are in mesh with driving worms II3 keyed to shafts H4 extending transversely across the upper frame and supported in suitable bearings I I5 and H0. The shafts II4 have secured to the operators side thereof hand wheels I I! by which they are rotated for raising and lowering either end of the upper frame. Between the two frames and encircling the spindles I09 are compression springs IIO which constantly urge apart the two frames. Within the lower frame IN, the backing-up rolls I05 are rotatably supported upon short shafts I01 secured within yokes or channels I08 attached to and extending longitudinally of the frame. The straightening rolls I03 extend transversely of the lower frame and are mounted at their ends in suitable floating bearing-blocks grantee H8 slidably maintained within recesses H9 in the sides of the frame by keeper plates I2I.

The upper strightening rolls 104 are mounted in floating bearing-blocks I22 maintained within recesses I23 of the upper frame by keeper plates I24. The bearing-blocks I22 are urged vertically upwards by springs I25 surrounding bolts I25 attached to the ends of the blocks I22.

Above the straightening rolls I04 and in contact therewith are the upper backing-up rolls I06 which are mounted on short shafts I21 secured within inverted yokes or channels I28 affixed to a flexible platen I29. Two grooves I 3| along the inner transversely opposite sides of the upper frame are provided for supporting the platen I29 at the edges thereof.

On the upper side of and affixed to the platen I29 there are three rows of brackets I32, each supporting a short shaft I33 having rotatably secured thereto a connecting rod I34. The upper end of each connecting rod I34 is mounted on a separate eccentric I35 provided on each of a plurality of eccentric shafts I35. The eccentric shafts are supported at a plurality of points along their lengths in suitable bearings I37 mounted in transverse reinforcing ribs I38 of the upper frame.

The first two eccentric shafts have keyed to one end thereof worm wheels I39 and I4! in mesh with and driven by two worms I42 and I43 re- 3 spectively. The two worms I42 and I43 are, respectively, secured to a hollow shaft I44 and to a spindle I45 passing therethrough. The hollow shaft and spindle are supported in suitable bearings I46 and I4? at the side of the frame and are f manually rotatable by hand wheels I48 and I49. The remaining eccentric shaft is provided with a worm wheel I5I with which a driving worm I52 engages. A shaft I53, to which the worm I52 is secured passes beneath and in line with the hollow shaft I44 and the spindle I45, is mounted on the frame in suitable bearings I54 and I55, and is manually rotated by means of a hand wheel I55 affixed thereto.

As in the case of the preferred form of my ini vention, on the drive side of the leveling apparatus all of the straightening rolls are provided with shaft extensions to which are connected by means of universal couplings, or the like, separate driven shafts of a power operated driving gear unit.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I consider to represent the best embodiment thereof. However, I desire to have it understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cold working strip metal comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within each of said frames, supporting means interposed between one of said iframes and said straightening rolls contained therein for preventing substantial deflection of said rolls, a flexable platen extending across the inner portion of the other of said frames, a plurality of groups of supporting means secured to the side of said platen adjacent the straightening rolls contained within said last mentioned frame, pressure applying means secured to the opposite side of said platen engaging with said last mentioned frame for ccntrollably deforming said platen across "the width thereof thereby controlling the deflection of said last mentioned straightening rolls, and means for adjusting one of said frames vertically with respect to the other for varying the entry "angle between said two sets of straightening rolls.

2. Apparatus for cold working strip metal comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured Within each of said frames, supporting rolls interposed between one of said frames and said straightening rolls contained therein for preventing substantial deflection of said straightening rolls, a flexible platen extending acrossthe inner portion of the other of said frames, a plurality of groups of supporting rolls secured to the side of said platen adjacent the straightening rolls contained within said last mentioned frame, pressure applyin means secured to the opposite side of said platen engaging with said last mentioned frame for controllably deforming said platen across the width thereof thereby controlling the deflection of said last mentioned straightening rolls, and means for adjusting one of said frames vertically with respect to the other for varying the entry angle between said two sets of straightening rolls.

3. Apparatus for cold working strip metal comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within each of said frames, a plurality of rolls, secured ,Within one of said frames, interposed between said straightening rolls and said frame for preventing substantial deflection of said straightening rolls, a flexible platen extending across the inner portion of the other of said frames, a plurality of roups of rolls secured to the side of said platen adjacent to and for supporting said straightening rolls contained within said last mentioned frame, pressure applying means secured to the opposite side of said platen and engaging with said'last mentioned frame for controllably deforming said platen across the width thereof thereby controlling the deflection of said last mentioned straightening rolls, and means for adjusting one of said frames vertically with respect to the other for varying the entry angle between said two sets of straightening rolls.

4. Apparatus for cold working strip metal eomprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within each of said frames, a plurality of rolls, secured within one of said frames, interposed between ;said straightening rolls and said frame in which they are contained, for preventing substantial de flection of said straightening rolls, a flexible platen extending across the inner portion of the other of said frames, a plurality of groups of rolls secured to the side of said platen adjacent to and for supporting said straightening rolls contained within said last mentioned frame, a plurality of shafts extending longitudinally of and rotatably secured within said last mentioned frame, a plurality of eccentrics secured to each of said shafts,

separate links engaging at one end with said ec- -centrics on each of said shafts and loosely pinned at the opposite ends thereof to said platen and separate means for rotating each of said shafts controllably to deform said platen across the width thereof thereby controlling the deflection of said last mentioned straightening rolls.

5. Apparatus for cold working strip meta-l comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within each of said frames, a plurality of rolls, secured within one of said frames, interposed between said straightening rolls and said frame in which they are contained for preventing substantial deflec tion of said straightening rolls, a flexible platen extending across the inner portion of the other of said frames, a plurality of groups of rolls secured to the side of said platen adjacent to and for supporting said straightening rolls contained within said last mentioned frame, a plurality of rows of shafts extending longitudinally of and rotatably secured within said last mentioned frame, a plurality of eccentrics secured to each of said shafts, separate links engaging at one end with said eccentrics of each of said shafts and secured at the opposite ends thereof to said platen, separate means for rotating each of said shafts controllably to deform said platen across the width thereof thereby controlling the deflection of said last mentioned straightening rolls and means for adjusting one of said frames vertically with respect to the other for varying the entry angle between said two sets of straightening rolls.

6. Apparatus for cold working strip metal comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within said lower frame, means interposed between said rolls and said frame for supporting said rolls across the width thereof, a plurality of straightening rolls yieldably supported at their ends within said upper frame, a flexible platen extendin across said upper frame, a plurality of groups of supporting rolls rotatably secured to said platen for engagement with said last mentioned straightening rolls, a plurality of groups of pressure applying means secured to said frame and to the upper portion of said platen, separate means for adjusting each of said groups of pressure applying means to deform said platen in varying degrees across the width thereof for controlling the contour of said straightening rolls, and means for adjusting said upper frame in a vertical direction with respect to said lower frame for varying the entry angle between said two sets of straightening rolls.

'7. Apparatus for cold working strip metal comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within said lower frame, means interposed between said rolls and said frame for supporting said rolls across the width thereof, a plurality of straightening rolls yieldably supported at their ends within said upper frame, a flexible platen extending across and secured at the edges thereof to said upper frame, a plurality of groups of supporting rolls rotatably secured to said platen for engagement with said last mentioned straightening rolls, a plurality of groups of pressure applying means secured to said frame and to the upper portion of said platen, separate means for adjusting each of said groups of pressure applying means to deform said platen in varying degrees across the width thereof for controlling the contour of said straightening rolls, and means for adjusting said upper frame in a vertical direction with respect to said lower frame for varying the entry angle between said two sets of straightening rolls.

8. 'Apparatus for cold working strip metal comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within said lower frame, means interposed between said rolls and said frame for supporting said rolls across the width thereof, a plurality of straightening rolls yieldably supported at their ends within said upper frame, a flexible platen extending across the inner portion of said upper frame, a plurality of groups of supporting rolls rotatably secured to said platen for engagement with said last mentioned straightening rolls, pressure applying means secured to said upper frame and to the upper portion of said platen for deforming said platen across the width thereof to control the contour of said straightening rolls, and

means for adjusting said upper frame in a vertical direction with respect to said lower frame for varying the entry angle between said two sets of straightening rolls.

9. Apparatus for cold working strip metal comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within each of said frames, supporting means for said straightening rolls, said supporting means in at least one of said frames comprising a flexible platen extending across the inner portion thereof, backing-up rolls secured to the side of said platen adjacent the straightening rolls, and pressure applying means secured to the opposite side of said platen engaging with the frame in which said platen is contained for controllably deforming said platen thereby controlling the deflection of said straightening rolls.

10. Apparatus for cold working strip metal comprising an upper and a lower frame, a plurality of straightening rolls rotatably secured within each of said frames, supporting means for said straightening rolls, said supporting means in at least one of said frames comprising a flexible platen extending across the inner portion thereof, backing-up rolls secured to the side of said platen adjacent the straightening rolls, and pressure applying means secured to the opposite side of said platen engaging with the frame in which said platen is contained for controllably deforming said platen thereby controlling the deflection of said straightening rolls, and means for adjusting one of said frames vertically with respect to the other for varying the entry angle between said two sets of straightening rolls.

HOWARD H. TALBOT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 2,049,1l2 Ungerer July 28, 1936 2,091,789 Maussnest Aug. 31, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 296,441 Germany Feb. 12, 1917 

